The Symbolism Of Cia's The Testing

As a dystopian novel, The Testing takes place in a world recovering from a drastic war. To ensure the success of Earth and prevent the extinction of colonies, the United Commonwealth requires the smartest students graduating from school every year must take a test called the Testing. Unaware of the consequences, students dream of the opportunity to qualify to take the Testing, pass the test, and move on to the University where the graduates learn essential skills. However, people that get selected to take the test never see their family again, and their memory of the test gets erased. The main character, Malencia Vale or Cia Vale for short, tells her story from a first-person point of view. At the young age of sixteen, Malencia graduates from

The main character prepares for anything that the test might throw at her. Eventually, Malencia and the three other candidates, Tomas, Malachi, and Zandri, got selected for the Testing and traveled to Tosu City, the location of the test. To show the identity of the Testing candidates, everyone receives a bracelet that officials require everyone to wear at all times. Cia's bracelet includes an eight-pointed star with a lightning bolt. The symbol represents rejuvenation and kids with the eight-pointed star show many different skills in many different areas. Even though her father's nightmares most likely occurred due to his imagination, Malencia's high hopes diminish while walking into a room that seems exactly like the place her father described. Malencia mutters, "I know this room. White walls. White floors. Black desks. This is the room from my father's nightmares" (79). When her companion Malachi dies, Cia understands that the test falls short of an ordinary

The book's Lexile score of 830 means that ten to fourteen-year kids will enjoy The Testing the most. The book's originality and suspense prevent readers from feeling bored while reading the novel. Additionally, the book's plot relates to The Hunger Games because of the dystopian similarity as well as the idea of forcing people to compete in an event that involves death. Because of this relation, readers comprehend The Testing better and can visualize the story much more vividly. Also, the book includes many instances of foreshadowing, providing many clues that end in the most surprising plot twists. Finally, the ending provides a feeling of relief and conclusion but also expertly opens up the possibility of a new problem and series of events. The previous reasons earn The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau five out of five